Hungary vs Croatia Prediction and Preview – 26/03/16
International Friendly preview – Hungary vs Croatia prediction.
Hungary coach Bernd Storck has called up Bese Barnabas after right-winger Gergo Lovrencsics was taken ill earlier this week. Left-back Tamas Kadar picked up an ankle injury during training and will undergo further tests before Saturday’s game against Croatia. Storck has stated he will mimic Croatia’s 4-2-3-1 formation and Tamas Priskin may be given the chance to add to his 17 international goals. The former Watford striker faces competition from Adam Szalai and Nemanja Nikolic.
Croatia are fresh from a 2-0 victory against Israel on Wednesday in which Inter Milan duo Ivan Peresic and Marcelo Brozovic scored the goals. Team captain Darijo Srna picked up a knock just before half-time and had to be substituted but is expected to be alright for Saturday. Vedran Corluka, Milan Badelj, Luka Modric and Nikola Kalinic were all swapped out as Ante Cacic tested out various formations but should start in Budapest when Caci bids to become the first Croatian head coach to win his first five games in charge.
Possible Line-ups
Hungary 4-2-3-1 formation: Kiraly; Fiola, Guzmics, Lang, Kadar; Nagy, Elek; Dzsudzsak, Gera, Bode; Priskin
Croatia 4-2-3-1 formation: Subasic; Corluka, Lovren, Vida, Srna; Brozovic, Badelj; Modric, Perisic, Kalinic; Mandzukic
Statistics
- Hungary have won 5 drawn 3 and lost 2 of their last 10 matches
- Croatia have won 6 drawn 3 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Hungary have scored an average of 1.5 goals and conceded an average of 0.9 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Croatia have scored an average of 1.6 goals and conceded an average of 0.6 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Hungary’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Croatia’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Hungary won both their playoff matches against Norway to clinch a place at the European Championship finals in France in the summer. Storck’s side have won three of the last four games, the defeat came in Athens where they allowed Greece to come from behind twice in a thrilling but nervy 4-3 loss in the final group game. Hungary are undefeated in the last five home games, beating Lithuania,Faroe Island and Norway while being held to goalless draws by Greece and Romania.
Croatia qualified in second place behind Italy despite a one point deduction by UEFA. Cacic replaced Niko Kovac amid fears Croatia may not qualify for France and the 62-year-old guided the national side to victory in the final two games ensuring a place in the finals. Croatia have gone on to win 3-1 in Russia and 2-0 at home to Israel in two subsequent friendlies. Their four-game winning streak includes three clean sheets, scoring nine and conceding one.
This promises to be an eagerly contested game. Croatia have a number of potential match-winners in the side and can complete their warm-up schedule with another win for the new head coach.
Tips
Croatia to win at 53/50 with Marathonbet
Under 2.5 goals at 17/25 with Marathonbet
Croatia to win 1-0 at 57/10 with Marathonbet
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